(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Grandview Palms Senior Living Community is adjacent to its affiliated skilled nursing facility on busy Grandview Boulevard. A fountain spouts an initial welcome. Inside, the lobby chandelier and fireplace add elegance. Earth tones snake through the facility past the mounted oil paintings and leather furniture. The furnishings are designed for ease of use; less mobile residents will have no problems sitting or rising from these chairs and couches. A great deal of thought went into the décor as well, with the goal of providing a homelike atmosphere that is comfortable and safe. Residents' apartments vary in their amenities. Some have bay windows or fireplaces and most have decks. High ceilings and windows lend an air of additional space. Electrical outlets have been placed higher than usual so that residents don't have to bend down, and light switches are lower for wheelchair users.

On each floor a common room serves a buffet breakfast; residents may take their meals back to their apartments if they wish. During our tour, we were enticed by the offerings: eggs Benedict, bagels and lox, hot and cold cereal, waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausage and sweet rolls. Substitutions also are offered and snacks provided throughout the day. The main dining room can accommodate all residents simultaneously and is marked by tablecloths, lovely cutlery and glassware. One activity room has a digital grand piano, a bar that serves beer and wine, a popcorn machine, large aquarium and a dance floor. Other rooms are geared toward talking or reading. Small tables and child-friendly games are a hit with young visitors, whereas the card and game room are popular with the residents. The exercise room sports a Stairmaster, free weights, treadmill—and most importantly, specialized staff to assist. French doors in the activity rooms open onto patios. A few courtyard areas boast fountains, comfortable chairs and lush plantings. Yoga and a walking club are daily exercise options. Outings have included trips to Griffith Park Observatory, museums, the beach, markets, casinos, plays and operas. Classes cover topics from arts and crafts to music therapy, computers and memory enhancement. Grandview Palms is kept lively by a twice-weekly cocktail hour, karaoke, sing-alongs, movies, birthday celebrations and games such as bingo, poker, bridge and canasta. Students from the local kindergarten take daily walks past the building, and residents often step onto the patio to watch the "march of the children." Both groups wave at each other enthusiastically; this simple pleasure is enjoyed by many residents. The management was exceptionally friendly during our tour, helpful and eager to answer any questions; they also listened to residents' requests and concerns and gave thoughtful and considered answers. No wonder residents were such a happy and chatty group!